[Duncan]

Tangent,

none of the three chips are socketed, and... i'm not the safest of people to be around with a soldering iron... so, i'll leave everything as is...

Anyways... apologies for throwing this thread off course

 

[Audio Redneck]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan ... Anyways... apologies for throwing this thread off course

Well, thanks for commenting on my question.

 

[KR...]

That's ok guys, it seems that my reviews as of late tend to go way off topic, but this one went off topic in a good way, and people can learn a lot about these amps from the posts here. Learning is always good.

 

[tangent]

If topic drift's a sin, we're all goin' to Hell.

 

[KR...]

 

[scrypt]

I understood your humor, Morsel, and didn't take offense. The reason I responded as I did was to be teasing in kind. If I'd used emoticons, maybe my intent would have been more clear. But I couldn't because I'm a writer and smileys are against my religion. My words should be enough.

I appreciate your effort to be kind and reassuring, even to those you don't know. Empathy is a lost art. May you always stay in practice.

 

[acidtripwow]

After listening to the Meta42 for a couple of hours now I think that this is a very good DIY portable amp. In comparison to the other DIY amp I have - the Apheared 47 - the Meta42 has more of a richness to it. It also has a lot more detail and clarity especially on top. The bass is a little better on the Meta42 but that difference was more subtle. My Meta42 amp came in the larger (5"x5"x1") PacTec case. It has Elna Cerfine caps, a 1/4" Neutrik headphone jack, gold plated RCAs, dual 9v batteries, rocker on/off switch, and a blue LED. It also has a pseudo Alps mini-stepped attenuator. The looks are plain jane but it works great. I would really like someone to make me an amp like the Grado RA-1 with wood sides but a glass top. I think that would look really cool.

I dont really have a complaint about the amp except the volume knob which is stepped seems to be kind of tight and I expect the amp to tip over when I change volume. It does give the amp a more solid feel though. Also, you have to unscrew the bottom of the case to change batteries. So, I'll need to carry a small screwdriver with me if I want to change batteries on the road. Now, if we could only work on a funkier case.

 

[morsel]

There are plenty of cases to choose from. You could pay someone to put your existing amp into a new enclosure, such as the extruded metal Hammond 1455. You can replace your budget $6 stepped attenuator with a $30 Alps Blue pot, which would have a silky feel and continuous adjustment range, but will probably not be as accurate at very low volume levels.

 

[pigmode]

Quote:

Originally posted by acidtripwow I would really like someone to make me an amp like the Grado RA-1 with wood sides but a glass top. I think that would look really cool.

Acid, thats a brilliant idea! Do you mind if I borrowed it?

 

[KR...]

You can use polyglass (I think that what it's callled) you can cut this "glass" with a table-saw or hand-saw to any shape that you wish.

 

[The Quality Guru]

Quote:

Originally posted by acidtripwow After listening to the Meta42 for a couple of hours now I think that this is a very good DIY portable amp. In comparison to the other DIY amp I have - the Apheared 47 - the Meta42 has more of a richness to it. It also has a lot more detail and clarity especially on top. The bass is a little better on the Meta42 but that difference was more subtle. My Meta42 amp came in the larger (5"x5"x1") PacTec case. It has Elna Cerfine caps, a 1/4" Neutrik headphone jack, gold plated RCAs, dual 9v batteries, rocker on/off switch, and a blue LED. It also has a pseudo Alps mini-stepped attenuator. The looks are plain jane but it works great. I would really like someone to make me an amp like the Grado RA-1 with wood sides but a glass top. I think that would look really cool. I dont really have a complaint about the amp except the volume knob which is stepped seems to be kind of tight and I expect the amp to tip over when I change volume. It does give the amp a more solid feel though. Also, you have to unscrew the bottom of the case to change batteries. So, I'll need to carry a small screwdriver with me if I want to change batteries on the road. Now, if we could only work on a funkier case.

Acid,

Which op-amp did you choose? Also, what is the name of the pseudo Alps stepped attenuator? Thanks.

 

[Audio Redneck]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Quality Guru Acid, Which op-amp did you choose? Also, what is the name of the pseudo Alps stepped attenuator? Thanks.

They've been discussing it here in the DIY forum.

 

[acidtripwow]

Quote:

Acid, thats a brilliant idea! Do you mind if I borrowed it?

Pigmode, please send me a fee of $50 for this idea.

Quote:

Which op-amp did you choose? Also, what is the name of the pseudo Alps stepped attenuator?

The opamp seems to be the AD823AN. You have to ask JMT about the stepped attenuator.

I'll try to post a couple of pics this weekend.

 

[pigmode]

Quote:

Originally posted by KR... You can use polyglass (I think that what it's callled) you can cut this "glass" with a table-saw or hand-saw to any shape that you wish.

Can't find anything on it. Is it better than Polycarbonate?

 

[The Quality Guru]

Does anyone here know how much of an effect Elna Cerafines make on the sound versus other less expensive caps? Is it a minimal difference, as in it only helps, say, "the last 5%?"

Thanks.

Regards, Luke